Some UK filling stations are expected to stop selling diesel within the next four years as demand declines, according to a report by electric vehicle think tank New AutoMotive. The analysis predicts that many of the approximately 8,400 filling stations across the country will cease diesel sales by 2035, accelerating the shift to electric vehicles.
Diesel car numbers and fuel consumption have been consistently falling nationwide. The report forecasts that in ten years, only about 250,000 diesel cars will remain on UK roads, down from 15.5 million as of June 2025. London is anticipated to be the first city with no diesel cars, partly due to the expansion of the ultra-low emission zone in 2023, which imposes a £12.50 daily fee on older diesel vehicles.
New AutoMotive chief executive Ben Nelmes said that as fewer people drive diesel cars, filling stations will stop stocking the fuel because diesel degrades if not sold quickly. He added that motorists will increasingly choose electric vehicles to avoid the inconvenience of finding diesel. Some filling stations are already installing high-powered EV chargers, with InstaVolt chief executive Delvin Lane noting that this offers smoother, cleaner, and more convenient journeys.
The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) stated that only 57% of its members believe fuel will be a core revenue source in a decade, though a spokesman said there are no definitive plans to cease diesel sales. The RAC Foundation's Steve Gooding warned of a tipping point when diesel availability becomes commercially unviable, but noted that the vast majority of vans and trucks still rely on diesel.
